Danny Cowley has made at least one new full-back his next priority as he continues his summer recruitment drive.

A left-back is at the top of his wish-list after the Lincoln City boss revealed Sam Habergham is taking longer than expected to recover from hernia surgery at the end of last season.

With the Imps’ League Two opener at Wycombe less than two weeks away, Habergham faces a race against time to be ready, although he missed pre-season last year and still went on to have an excellent season.

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“Sam is still struggling post his operation. It’s been a little more complicated than we expected,” said Cowley following the Imps’ 3-2 defeat to Peterborough United.

Cowley has been casting his eye over several defenders in pre-season. The latest is former Millwall Colchester United left-back Matthew Briggs, who has been handed a trial and played the whole game against Peterborough.

“He [Briggs] came in so we could have the opportunity to look at him. He is a bit short of match fitness but he’s a good footballer and we’ll see how that one unfolds. We’ll speak with him over the weekend and take it from there.

“But our intention was always to bring in cover in the full-back areas. We also want to bring in another forward.”

Sam Habergham had a hernia operation in the summer after playing almost 60 games last season (Image: CameraSport)

Briggs began his career at Fulham. During his time at Craven Cottage, the 26-year-old had loan spells at Leyton Orient, Peterborough, Bristol City and Watford.

He joined Millwall on a free transfer in the summer of 2014 before joining Colchester United midway through the season.

He eventually joined the Essex club permanently in the summer of 2015. After two seasons with the U’s, Briggs was released at the end of last season.